Hundreds Attend John Bartholomew Cpd Funeral in Chicago

Hundreds gathered Friday morning for the john bartholomew cpd funeral at Saint Andrews Greek Orthodox Church, where family, friends, colleagues, elected leaders and community members came to say goodbye to Officer John Bartholomew. Mayor Johnson and CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling were among those inside, while dozens of Chicago Police officers lined up outside.

Saint Andrews Greek Orthodox Church

Bartholomew was remembered as a 10-year veteran who was killed in the line of duty on April 25. He and his partner were shot while escorting a robbery suspect at Swedish hospital, and his longtime partner, Officer Nelson Crespo, was critically injured and is still recovering.

The funeral brought together the people who worked with him and the people who lived alongside the officers he served with, all in one church on Friday morning. The scene outside was just as visible: a long line of police officers at the doors, with the city’s top police leadership present inside.

Lake Shore Drive procession

The procession to the cemetery was set to travel south on Lake Shore Drive, and heavy traffic and street closures were expected until 3 p.m. For drivers and anyone moving through the corridor, that meant the route remained affected for much of the day while the funeral moved from the church to the cemetery.

Bartholomew’s death and Crespo’s recovery still sat behind the service, but Friday’s gathering put the focus on the final farewell for an officer described as deeply dedicated, someone who served with honor and integrity and always put his family first.